SUMMARY: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is used for contrast induced acut kidney injury (CI-AKI) prophylaxis because of its antioxidant effects. Paricalcitol, which has reno-protective effects, is likely to provide a more effective prophylaxis when added to NAC treatment. The study was designed based on this hypothesis. The study was organised to include 4 groups each consisting of 7 rats. Group 1 was the control group, and Group 2 included rats with CI-AKI. Rats in Group 3 were administered NAC at a dose of 100 mg/kg via oral gavage once a day for 5 days. Rats in group 4 were administered paricalcitol at a dose of 0.4 mcg/kg once a day for 5 days in addition to NAC. CI-AKI was induced after the treatments in both groups. The study was terminated on the sixth day. Samples were collected from the rats’ sera and kidney tissues to study oxidant and antioxidant parameters; kidney function tests were also studied. There were significant differences between the contrast nephropathy group (Group 2) and NAC and NAC+paricalcitol groups with respect to serum urea and creatinine levels. When the same groups were compared regarding oxidant (TOS-MDA) and antioxidant (TAC-Paraoxonase) parameters, we observed that the oxidant parameters increased in serum and kidney tissue samples with NAC use, and that effect was strengthened by the addition of paricalcitol to NAC treatment. However, despite increased antioxidant effectiveness, we observed no decrease in urea and creatinine levels when paricalcitol was added for CI-AKI in rats. There was no significant difference between Group 3 and Group 4. Paricalcitol provides a more potent antioxidant effect in both serum and kidney tissue samples when added to NAC treatment in rats with CI-AKI. Despite increased antioxidant parameters, however, paricalcitol does not provide a significant decrease in urea and creatinine levels.

RESUMEN: Debido a sus efectos atioxidantes la N- acetilcisteína (NAC) se usa para la profilaxis de la lesión renal aguda inducida por contraste (CI-AKI). Es probable que el paricalcitol, que tiene efectos renoprotectores, proporcione una profilaxis más eficaz cuando se agrega al tratamiento con NAC. En base a esta hipótesis el estudio fue diseñado para incluir cuatro grupos cada uno compuesto por siete ratas. El grupo 1 fue el grupo control y el grupo 2 incluyó ratas con CI-AKI. A las ratas del Grupo 3 se les administró NAC con una dosis de 100 mg/kg por sonda oral una vez al día, durante 5 días. A las ratas del grupo 4 se les administró paricalcitol a una dosis de 0,4 mcg/kg una vez al día durante 5 días, además de NAC. Se indujo CI-AKI después de los tratamientos en ambos grupos. El estudio finalizó el sexto día. Se recolectaron muestras de suero y tejidos renales de ratas para estudiar los parámetros oxidantes y antioxidantes; También se estudiaron las pruebas de función renal. Hubo diferencias significativas entre el grupo de nefropatía por contraste (Grupo 2) y los grupos NAC y NAC+paricalcitol con respecto a los niveles séricos de urea y creatinina. Cuando se compararon los mismos grupos con respecto a los parámetros oxidantes (TOS-MDA) y antioxidantes (TAC-Paraoxonase), observamos que los parámetros oxidantes aumentaron en muestras de suero y tejido renal con el uso de NAC, y ese efecto se vio reforzado por la adición de paricalcitol a tratamiento NAC. Sin embargo, a pesar de una mayor eficacia antioxidante, no observamos una disminución en los niveles de urea y creatinina cuando se agregó paricalcitol para CI-AKI en ratas. No hubo diferencias significativas entre el Grupo 3 y el Grupo 4. El paricalcitol proporciona un efecto antioxidante más potente tanto en muestras de suero como de tejido renal cuando se agrega al tratamiento con NAC en ratas con CI-AKI. Sin embargo, a pesar del aumento de los parámetros antioxidantes, el paricalcitol no proporciona una disminución sig- nificativa en los niveles de urea y creatinina.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the influence of Bentall procedure on left ventricular function and condition on long-term follow-up. Methods: Seventy-three consecutive patients who underwent an aortic root and ascending aorta replacement with composite valve button Bentall or flanged Bentall technique, from January 2007 to November 2018, were included in this retrospective study. Results: Postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction significantly increased (52.14±11.38 vs. 56.79±11.36; P=0.041), left ventricular end-systolic diameter significantly reduced (38.25±9.31 mm vs. 34.17±9.15 mm; P=0.027), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter significantly reduced (56.42±9.72 mm vs. 51.58±9.03 mm; P=0.01), and left atrial diameter significantly reduced (45.33±12.77 mm vs. 39.25±12.41 mm; P=0.01), compared to preoperative values. Our long-term survival results are comparable with previous studies in which survival rates in 5 years and 10 years were 83.5% and 69.8%, respectively. In comparing patients according to their New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, it was shown that their postoperative functional capacity was improved during the follow-up period (2.1±0.56 vs. 1.2±0.42; P=0.001). Conclusion: The Bentall procedure significantly improved the left ventricular systolic function and condition and decreased the left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters and the left atrial diameter on long-term follow-up, based on the transthoracic echocardiography. Bentall procedure can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates on long-term follow-up.

ABSTRACT In this work, the potential chemopreventive activities of Elaeagnus umbellata fruit aqueous (EUFA) and leaf aqueous (EULA) extracts focusing on the modulatory influence of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs), antioxidant enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, lipid peroxidation (LP), sulfhydryl groups were investigated in the hepatic and extrahepatic organs of Swiss albino mice (50 and 100 mg/kg body wt given orally for 14 days) and compared with BHA (0.75 % in diet). The modulatory and chemopreventive properties of two different doses EUFA and EULA were observed for cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5, sulfhydryl groups, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, 7-ethoxyresorufin-deethylase and N,N-dimethylaniline N-oxidase activities in the liver and compared with BHA as a standard. The activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and DT-diaphorase (DTD) showed a significant increase in the kidney, forestomach, heart and brain at both doses of EUFA and EULA. The results of EULA-treated groups were found a notable increase in LDH, G6PD, 6PGD, GST and DTD activities. Superoxide dismutase level in liver, kidney and heart exhibited a significant increase at both doses of EULA. Glutathione reductase activity was a remarkable level at high dose of EUFA in liver, kidney and EULA in kidney. Both doses of EUFA were effective in inducing glutathione peroxidase activitiy in heart. The levels of LP at low and high doses of EULA-treated and EUFA-treated were effective in liver and kidney, respectively. The present results demonstrate that significant effects in the level of XMEs and antioxidant enzymes of EUFA and EULA are remarkable for modulating roles and natural chemoprevention properties and therefore is considered for a valuable natural source.

Resumo Introdução: Espectro da neuropatia auditiva ainda é uma condição clínica desafiadora. Objetivo: Apresentar nossa experiência no tratamento de crianças com espectro da neuropatia auditiva em relação aos dados clínicos. Método: Este estudo retrospectivo incluiu crianças menores de 16 anos de idade que deram entrada no departamento entre 2005 e 2013 (com exceção de encaminhamentos para triagem auditiva neonatal). Foram avaliados os dados obtidos a partir dos exames de audiometria tonal, emissões otoacústicas (EOA), potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico (ABR) e outros fatores de risco. Resultados: Das 1.952 crianças com perda auditiva neurossensorial (2,04%) detectadas dentre os 9.520 candidatos que deram entrada no departamento (0,42%), espectro da neuropatia auditiva foi reconhecida em 74 orelhas de 40 crianças (B/U: 34/6). Os testes clínicos revelaram que uma perda auditiva superior a 15 dB estava presente em ambas as orelhas em 38 casos. O grau de perda auditiva das crianças era profundo em 48%, grave em 12%, moderado em 28%, leve em 10%, e normal em 5%. ABR estava ausente/anormal em 37/3 orelhas e microfonia coclear foi detectado em todas as crianças. Reflexos acústicos estavam ausentes em todas as orelhas. A reabilitação foi tratada com implante coclear e aparelhos auditivos em 15 e 23 casos, respectivamente. Um sistema FM foi utilizado em dois casos que apresentavam audição normal, mas discriminação deficiente da fala em ambientes ruidosos. Conclusão: Espectro da neuropatia auditiva é um problema desafiador para os departamentos de audiologia, devido às suas várias características clínicas e dificuldades no tratamento. Em nossos pacientes a perda auditiva profunda foi a mais frequente. O número de casos negligenciados pode ser diminuído com a realização dos exames ABR e EOA em todos os casos encaminhados com suspeita de perda auditiva.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: ANSD is a challenging problem. OBJECTIVE: To present our experience on management of the children with ANSD with respect to clinical data. METHODS: This retrospective study included all children younger than 16 years of age who applied to the department between 2005 and 2013 (with the exception of newborn hearing screening NHS referrals). The data were derived from pure tone, OAEs and ABR tests, and further medical risk factors of the subjects were evaluated. RESULTS: ANSD was recognized in 74 ears of 40 children (B/U: 34/6) among 1952 children with SNHL (2.04%) detected among 9520 applicants to the department (0.42%). The clinical tests revealed that hearing loss greater than 15 dB was present in both ears of 38 cases. The degree of hearing loss was profound in 48% children, severe in 12% children, moderate in 28% children, mild in 10% children and normal in 5% children. ABRs were absent/abnormal in 37/3 ears and CMs were detected in all. Acoustic reflexes were absent in all ears. Rehabilitation was managed by CI and hearing aids in 15 and 23 cases, respectively. FM system was given to two cases displaying normal hearing but poor speech discrimination in noisy environments. CONCLUSION: ANSD is a relatively challenging problem for the audiology departments because of its various clinical features and difficulties in management. Our patients with ANSD most commonly displayed profound hearing loss. The number of overlooked cases may be minimized by performing ABR and OAE in every case referred with the suspicion of hearing loss.